The Keswick to Barrow Challenge 2019

The Keswick to Barrow Challenge is a 40 mile walk through some of the most beautiful scenery the Lake District has to offer.  And yes, before you say it, Barrow is beautiful... mainly because when you see Barrow, that means the end of the walk is coming! 

More importantly, this is a challenge to you but one that you will not be facing alone as we will be entering a team as OutdoorLads, which we have been doing now for five years. Each year we have raised money for the OutdoorLads Foundation which supports our members by way of a hardship fund and also has great development plans to work with other charities achieving the same goals. So you are doing something amazing by taking part.

That is where we need you, to walk the event and to seek sponsorship from your friends, family, work colleagues, peers... basically anyone who will support you in this wonderful challenge that will leave you feeling a sense of mindblowing achievement!

Throughout the event you will be supported by our team of volunteers with food, drink, pick-me-ups and, of course, endless hugs should you need them! We will be there from 6am when the event starts until whatever time in the day you finish and we will be cheering and clapping and applauding you for your achievement!

So make 2019 the year you set yourself a challenge or, if you are returning to join us again, then welcome.  It is all about pushing yourself!

Below is some important information on registering for the event with the Keswick to Barrow Foundation who run the event and also some advice on training and sponsorship:

GET REGISTERED

You must register with the Keswick to Barrow website and when you have done so, please email or message the leader with your Member ID; we will then use this to add you to the OutdoorLads team. 

When prompted in the future, you will need to pay your £20 entry fee. This covers your bus ticket to the start location and contributes to the walk operating costs.

If you have already registered in the past for the K2B or C2B, please don't register again.  If you struggle to remember your log in details, you can either reset your password or request help on the website to be able to do so.

TRAINING

Training for this event is absolutely essential.  Walking on mountains and other terrain is one thing but this is a challenge in itself, not just for distance, but also the majority of the walk is on harder surface.  Hence the importance of comfy shoes - running shoes, comfy trainers etc are ideal.  Anything that won't give you a blister.  

Try steadily increasing your distance on walks or, if you go to the gym, increase your walking ability on the treadmill - not to 40 miles or anything like the walk, but just to get your body ready.

The walk overall ascends by 2000m across the course, with the majority being quite steady and in short bursts so the main focus is the distance. But you will be supoported at every step of the way by other walkers, your team members and your support team members.

ACCOMMODATION

Last year we successfully went with the idea of encouraging everyone to stay in Barrow-in-Furness (the end of the walk).  This works for the end of the event, when you will want to return to your accommodation and rest, although it does mean an earlier start to get to the start location in Keswick (90 min drive).  However, we would encourage Barrow as your choice.  Most people took advantage of good deals at Premier Inn or Travelodge in Barrow but a number of attendees brought tents/caravans, so the options are endless.

We normally meet for a pint and a meal on the Friday night before the event so that everyone can meet each other and we can get some pre walk admin done.

SPONSORSHIP

The event has a minimum sponsorship threshold of £80 per walker on the event. This money must be donated via the Keswick to Barrow Website. Donations direct to charity or via websites such as JustGiving/Virgin etc are not permitted.

Of the money raised, 67% goes to our nominated charity, The OutdoorLads Foundation, which supports our members via a hardship fund but also has aspirations to work with other charities and groups who share our values.

The remaining 33% of donations cover the cost of running the event. As you experience it, you will see how much incredible infrastructure goes into the event.  It is quite something.